Connecticut House Bill HB06496

Connecticut 2019 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/28/19
• Refer: 1/28/19

Caption

An Act Concerning Discretionary Transfers From The Docket For Juvenile Matters To The Regular Criminal Docket.

Impact

The amendment to section 46b-127 of the general statutes represents a shift in how juvenile cases are handled by the court system. By allowing juveniles the opportunity to engage in rehabilitative programs before transfer, the bill emphasizes the importance of rehabilitation over punitive measures. It acknowledges that many juveniles involved in the system have underlying behavioral issues that can be addressed through targeted programs, potentially reducing future offenses and improving outcomes for young offenders.

Summary

House Bill 6496 aims to amend existing statutes regarding the discretionary transfers from juvenile matters to the regular criminal docket. The proposed changes would enable courts to use greater discretion in deciding whether to transfer a juvenile case to the adult criminal system. Specifically, the bill requires that both the juvenile and their guardian partake in programs aimed at resolving behavioral issues prior to any potential transfer. This approach seeks to address the juvenile's rehabilitation needs while still considering public interest in crime prevention.

Contention

While the bill's advocates argue that it offers a necessary balance between addressing public safety and promoting juvenile rehabilitation, concerns may arise regarding the effective implementation of such programs. There may be questions on whether sufficient resources will be allocated to ensure that juveniles have access to appropriate classes and if the judicial system can reliably assess the effectiveness of these initiatives in different cases. Opponents may argue that broader discretion could lead to inconsistencies in how cases are treated and the potential for biased decision-making by judges.